Pac-12 energy rankings: Huskies drop once more after newest highway loss

While crafting the 2022 convention schedule, the Pac-12 sought stability on two fronts:

— Competitive stability: Avoiding cases wherein one workforce was positioned at a logistical drawback relative to the upcoming opponent.

— Qualitative stability: Sprinkling attractive matchups all through the season, as a substitute of leaving all of the showdowns for November.

Due to the mix of forethought and luck — specifically, the ascent of the Los Angeles faculties — the qualitative piece couldn’t have labored out a lot better for the convention.

The Pac-12 is effectively positioned to provide matchups worthy of primetime telecasts in six of the ultimate eight weeks of the season.

Let’s look at the Saturdays, from final weekend by the top of the common season …

Oct. 8: Utah at UCLA and Washington State at USC

The doubleheader marked the primary time back-to-back convention video games have been proven on the Fox broadcast community since 2019, when Utah-Washington and Oregon-USC had been aired consecutively.

Oct. 15: USC at Utah

The undefeated, seventh-ranked Trojans face their hardest check up to now towards the No. 20 Utes. The matchup is already scheduled for Fox at 5 p.m. Pacific.

Oct. 22: UCLA at Oregon

Chip Kelly returns to Eugene with the undefeated Bruins in a matchup with the rankings assured — the groups are idle this week — and has been chosen for both Fox or FS1 at 12:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 and Nov. 5: No primetime sport

There are two points at play. The Pac-12 is missing matchups worthy of the selection broadcast home windows, however alternatives are restricted: Those Saturdays are reserved for Game Two and Game Seven of the World Series, which airs on Fox.

Nov. 12: Washington at Oregon

The most fascinating annual matchup within the Pac-12 soccer stock that doesn’t contain pure rivals.

Nov. 19: USC at UCLA

If each groups are ranked, slot this for primetime. It has the additional advantage of being performed earlier than Thanksgiving and subsequently avoids going head-to-head within the TV choice course of with rivalry showdowns in different leagues.

Nov. 26: Notre Dame at USC

If the Trojans are within the top-10, this can be a lock to obtain a coveted window (no matter Notre Dame’s file). Far lesser matchups on this storied collection have been proven at 5 p.m. on ABC or Fox.

Whether the showdowns listed above are all chosen for premium broadcast slots by ESPN and Fox relies upon partly on developments in different conferences. But the Pac-12 in all probability couldn’t have mapped it out any higher.

To the facility rankings …

Please be aware: The Hotline energy rankings don’t essentially observe with the order of groups listed on my Associated Press top-25 poll, which relies on tips supplied by the AP.

1. USC (6-0/4-0)

Last week: 1
Result: beat Washington State 30-14
Next up: at Utah (5 p.m. on FOX)
Comment: The protection performed its greatest half of the season Saturday in shutting out the Cougars for the ultimate half-hour. But was that proof of progress or a mirrored image of the opponent’s fair-to-middlin’ offense? Probably a few of each.

2. Oregon (5-1/3-0)

Last week: 3
Result: gained at Arizona 49-22
Next up: idle
Comment: As we famous final week whereas explaining why the Ducks would smash Arizona: Ignore the Georgia outcome when assessing Oregon’s power inside the Pac-12. The former has zero bearing on the latter.

3. UCLA (6-0/3-0)

Last week: 5
Result: beat Utah 42-32
Next up: idle
Comment: Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s odds to win the Heisman had been lower in half following the Utah sport. DraftKings now lists him at 18-to-1, down from 35-to-1 final week, and writes: “The Bruins line up two more major challenges in a row over the next two weeks against Oregon and Stanford. This stretch, if successful, could be the crowning jewel on Thompson-Robinson’s Heisman campaign.”

4. Washington State (4-2/1-2)

Last week: 4
Result: misplaced at USC 30-14
Next up: at Oregon State (6 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Against Power Five opponents, quarterback Cam Ward has eight touchdowns, six interceptions and averages simply 7.4 yards-per-attempt (ninth within the Pac-12).

5. Utah (4-2/2-1)

Last week: 2
Result: misplaced at UCLA 42-32
Next up: vs. USC (5 p.m. on FOX)
Comment: One of one of the best measures of defensive prowess is yards-per-play (ypp) allowed, as a result of it accounts for disparities in tempo/performs per sport. The Utes are presently yielding 5.48 ypp, which, if that tempo continues, could be their worst for a full season since 2016.

6. Oregon State (4-2/1-2)

Last week: 7
Result: gained at Stanford 28-27
Next up: vs. Washington State (6 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: As it pertains to the bowl math, the unbelievable win at Stanford offset the blown alternative towards USC and put the Beavers again on track for no less than six wins, and maybe as many as eight.

7. Washington (4-2/1-2)

Last week: 6
Result: misplaced at ASU 45-38
Next up: vs. Arizona (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Expecting a first-rate effort from the battered UW protection, not solely due to poor showings on the highway towards UCLA and ASU but in addition due to Jayden de Laura’s return. The final time Arizona’s beginning quarterback was in Husky Stadium, within the Apple Cup, he planted Washington State’s flag within the turf.

8. Cal (3-2/1-1)

Last week: 8
Result: DNP
Next up: at Colorado (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: If it’s shut at halftime in Boulder, it is going to be shut within the fourth quarter. The Bears higher begin clear to keep away from a messy end.

9. Arizona State (2-4/1-2)

Last week: 10
Result: beat Washington 45-38
Next up: idle
Comment: With Stanford, Colorado, WSU, OSU and Arizona remaining, the Sun Devils nonetheless have a shot at six wins, and that may give interim coach Shaun Aguano a shot on the everlasting job.

10. Arizona (3-3/1-2)

Last week: 9
Result: misplaced to Oregon 49-22
Next up: at Washington (2:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: The defensive personnel isn’t elite by any stretch, however it’s higher than 430 yards and 34 factors allowed per sport.

11. Stanford (1-5/0-4)

Last week: 11
Result: misplaced to Oregon State 28-27
Next up: at Notre Dame (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: Please forgive us, however the Hotline isn’t practically good sufficient to grasp why one of the best participant on the workforce (quarterback Tanner McKee) could be on the bench for a very powerful third down of the sport.

12. Colorado (0-5/0-2)

Last week: 12
Result: DNP
Next up: vs. Cal (11 a.m. on Pac-12 Networks)
Comment: Interim coach Mike Sanford is taking up at simply the appropriate time with the bye week, then consecutive non-formidable video games towards Cal (dwelling), Oregon State (highway) and Arizona State (dwelling). Because the November schedule is hell on turf.